Brendan Rodgers has admitted he’s had to compromise Liverpool’s Euro dream because of ridiculous Premier League scheduling.

The reds left Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson behind when they travelled to Istanbul to meet Bestikas in the Europa League, and their manager explained he was forced to do it, because he’s had “no help” over fixtures.

Liverpool play Manchester City at noon on Sunday, just 57 hours after they land back in England, and even with an injury crisis, the Co Antrim native believes he has no choice but to gamble on a weakened side here in the Ataturk Stadium.

Asked if he has been forced to compromise by resting the influential Coutinho, he said: “You have to. You can’t go into it blind because, like I said, it is one where that is the management and the planning of it.

“It shows how tough it is, especially if you don’t get help, when we are on when we are, early on the Sunday.

“It’s not ideal. I’ve had to bring out young Coutinho. He hasn’t travelled. He’s an outstanding, key player for us and he’s played a lot of games consecutively for us now.

"This was a game that I’d earmarked to give some recovery in knowing he can stay at home, not travel and prepare and get ready for the weekend.

“The other guys are either young or haven’t played a great deal. We picked up a few injuries, Jordan has picked up a knock.

"It’s not ideal, especially with the early kick off. But it is still a European competition. I would rather be in it than not in it. We know where we’re at.”

Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool are already without eight players with European veterans Steven Gerrard and Lucas injured, while Glen Johnson, Mamadou Sakho, Jose Enrique, Brad Jones and John Flanagan are all also ruled out while Lazar Markovic is suspended.

Henderson has a slight ankle knock, but the punishing schedule has forced Rodgers not to risk him so he can face City, and with Coutinho - who has made 19 consecutive starts - rested it has given Liverpool a full blown midfield crisis.

Rodgers is quietly fuming about being backed into a corner by the Premier League and TV bigwigs, who have given City a massive advantage by playing the game at noon on Sunday.

“That extra period of 48 hours City will have could be crucial, certainly physically. Especially as we don’t get back until 3am we will have very little preparation time,”he insisted.